Will I go into labour? 42 weeks declining induction?

[Dontwantinduction]

Hi everyone,

I am 42 weeks tomorrow and midwife has told me that I really need to consider an induction.

I’ve heard so many negative stories regarding inductions and really wanted it to all just start to happen! Question is… will it happen? Does labour always eventually come by itself? Or do I just need to give in and go for the induction?

Good luck op. I had an induction with my 2nd baby they broke my waters he was in my arms 20 mins later . Very intense labour but so grateful he was healthy

I had the pessary 4 times it failed every time and I ended up with an emergency section so its not a guaranteed success either. Please take the advice of medical professionals you are at much more risk going beyond 42 weeks

Obviously anecdotal but my waters broke by themselves and no amount of walking around, including up and down stairs, all day long, started labour, and I was given the oxytocin to start things off.

Good luck, OP. So exciting!

@CatCaretaker , I had the same thing for both of my labours , waters broke but didn’t go into labour and had the oxytocin drip after about 36 hours which had to be ramped to a high dose to get things going, however once things finally did start everything was straightforward.

@Dontwantinduction hope all goes well and your baby is with you soon

Thanks everyone! Feel like it’s a bit of a whirlwind already, one minute I was making spaghetti bolognese and the next I was grabbing the bags heading to the hospital!

But any way the update is… I got here around an hour ago, I was quite quickly examined (2cm). They have to break my waters in a delivery room, one is free and we are heading through shortly.

Sounds daft but I ate the bolognese before we came and now I’m nervous that if I manage to get to the pushing stage that I will poo 🤦‍♀️ currently more stressed about that than anything!

I had an induction at 40 weeks, ended up with an emergency c-section (baby was not keen to be born!) but all was well and I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

My friend declined an induction at 42 weeks and sadly had a stillbirth.

Just seen your update! Wishing you all the best.

I would listen to medical advice.
I knew two people who didn't. Both had stillborn babies.
It really isn't worth taking the risk.

Walk and walk and really walk.

Go up and down stairs. Endlessly.

Once you start contacting you'll dilate quickly, as you've had a baby before.

Good luck!

don’t stress about the poo, if it happens you potentially won’t even notice and it will be quickly and discreetly be cleared away. midwifes experience so often that it doesn’t phase them.

Oh how exciting!

Enjoy your gift at the end of it all.
NO! Not the baby....the first cup of tea/coffee when it's over. Bloody hell it tastes good.
Seriously, wishing you a speedy and comfyish delivery 😊

All of mine were over a week later, and I didn’t want to be induced. Sex is the answer. Worked 3 times. Went into spontaneous labour within 24 hours. And it s fun 😀

How exciting OP. Don’t fret about any poo. Safe delivery for both of you. x

I was induced at 43 weeks. My waters were broken manually, baby was out exactly 2 hours later.

Good for you. I also know someone who declined induction after 42 weeks and despite a check the same morning, one afternoon the baby stopped moving and had died. It’s really not worth the risk.

I had bolognaise before I went into labour too! It did reappear when I was sick everywhere, but the midwives were very calm about it all. And 2cm is great, no messing around with gels etc needed.

At 42 weeks I’d be having the induction. Inductions tend to be worse if you’re not ready. At 42 weeks you’re going to be ready. Hopefully won’t need the drip but if you do I would get an epidural as the contractions on drips are very painful

Good luck OP. Excited for you that you will soon have a new bundle of joy! 💐

Good luck for tonight! Such an exciting time for you.
Ive had 3 babies and the first was induced (pessary, waters broken and the drip), it was by far my ‘favourite’ birth, it took the longest but I felt completely in control.

Hi OP!
Best wishes with your birth! I can imagine if you are 2cm already they will be able to break your water quite easily if baby is in a good position. Don't forget, if it is uncomfortable or if you don't want to continue with the procedure for any reason you absolutely can say "I'd like to stop please" and they HAVE to honour it. Then you can take a moment and see how you and baby feel.

Here's a little tool:

B.R.A.I.N
Benefits (what are the benefits right now in going ahead with this)
Risks (what are they? If you are unsure then ask your team)
Alternatives (what if we choose neither options? What else is there available atm)
Instinct (very important, trust your gut and your inner mother instict)
Nothing (what happens if we do nothing from here)

Take a nice deep breath for now and if you can listen to some calming music or some breathing meditation/hypnobirthing on YouTube. Absolutely lovely for mums to get into a happy space especially when hospital can be quite stark and brightly lit. If nothing else, get comfy and take a nap!! You've earned it!

Lots of love to you and your baby x will be thinking of you into the night. Xx

(Former Doula and mother to 6)-

Opps, forgot to add 3 inductions under my belt. All good deliveries 😉

I’ve had 2 inductions. First one pessary and they broke my waters, water birth, second one two pessaries and they couldn’t break my waters as the delivery suite was full so they couldn’t do anything to push me along, my waters never broke but baby came out anyway and midwife broke them as she was popping out. Both great positive experiences, try to move around as much as you can to get things going and hopefully avoid the drip. I was dancing like a madwoman! Best of luck

I know someone who was induced who says it was the worst week of her life.

I know someone else who declined an induction and had a still birth when the baby had been happily wriggling away at 40 weeks. I imagine she would also describe her birth week as the worst week of her life.

Unfortunately, sometimes you need to pick your poison and I know what I’d be choosing.

(And I wish you all the best for your birth and I’m sure it’ll be fine. I know the above is blunt but I also know my friend would be happy if her tragedy meant even one other woman made a different choice and got a happier ending).

Personally I think anyone going against medical advice is absolutely moronic. If medical professionals have advised something then why on earth wouldn’t you do it. I have no idea why pregnancy/labour seems to result in people with NO medical knowledge thinking they know better than the midwives/doctors! It’s crazy. You only have to read the comments on this thread to see what the increased risk could lead to specifically on this.

I also think some of the crap spouted at antenatal classes can be dangerous.

Good luck OP and enjoy your new baby 🥰

Ohhh I hope we get an update. And good luck OP